They arrive in Del Sol Valley after midnight the day after the engagement party
"K. Acadia. I gave you enough time."
"For what?"
"For you to stop this passive aggressive bullshit. What's the problem?"
"There's no problem."
"Do you not hear how you've been talking to me and looking at me since the engagement party that you wanted? I'm not doing this with you, what's up?"
"Not doing what with me? Like planning the wedding? Or like planning life after? Cause you're not doing either with me anyway, so..."
"What are you talking about? I keep sending you blueprints that you don't even look at. If you do actually ask me something, I answer. So what am I not doing with you?"
"Why do you keep sending me lots in Del Sol Valley?"
"Because we'll be living here?"
"WHEN did we decide that, Walker Stevens?!"
"Kades... you're on season 3 of your show. Why would we move? We'll be living here."
"Again, when did we decide that?"
"I don't know what answer you want."
Acadia sighs. "Why Jalen?"
"What does Jalen have to do with anything?"
"Why aren't you the CEO instead of Jalen?"
"Because I'm IN the investment branch! I've been in it since we met!"
"I know that but wasn't it supposed to be like training or whatever until you become the boss. Like to see how things work on all sides and then become the legacy heir? Why Jalen?"
"Are you and mom talking about more than napkins and dresses? Where is this coming from?"
"You really didn't hear your grandfather? Or Patricia? Like seriously?"
"They're both annoying, I just tune them out. Once all this wedding crap is over, you won't see them for a long time. Maybe never."
"Why? Cause you're just gonna like hide us in Del Sol Valley like you're in exile or something?"
"I'm not hiding."
"You're just settling then? For me? Am I someone you’d have to settle for?"
Walker remains silent.
"Wow, Walker. Just. Wow... Whatever, I’m just gonna take a bath and go to bed."
"Just tell me what I'm missing, huh? I thought I was giving you everything you wanted, Kades."
"You give me a lot and you always give me options that you like... But you only ask me what I want when I'm angry and in that moment I just want to calm down."
"So, now that you've had your bath and calmed down, what do you want?"
"Not Del Sol Valley."
"But you work here."
"And you should be working in San Myshuno but you're here."
"Kades -"
"Leilani's been running everything forever and she talks business with you more than me. I should just stay a silent partner or whatever."
"And your show?"
"Six seasons and a movie. Like you and I planned when I started and then I'm done. I won't quit early. And I'm good with 5 starlight accolades, maybe I'll win more, we'll see. But we can do long distance again for a little while."
"Why would we be long distance? I'm here."
"You're going back to San Sequoia."
"No, I'm not."
"Walker, listen to me."
"I did just now, so now listen to me. I want to switch eventually. But not right now. We're not aging up anytime soon. There's no rush. I can be here with you and I don't want us near them right now."
"Because I'm not good enough to be your wife?"
"See, that's what I don't want to hear! You've only met them twice and you're already feeling like this. I grew up with them. It's mind games and competitions everyday. Everyone. Everyone but my dad, talks like grandpa and Patricia. I love mom and she's mine to deal with. I don't want her using you to push her dream on me."
"Give me some credit. She's not using me. I just like her. A lot. She seems like someone who knows what she wants and how to get it. Just like you."
"Well, what I want right now is to finally be your husband and make sure we're good before we let all that pressure in. I'm not settling for you, Acadia Duke. I'm in this for the long haul and I don't want to end up divorced like my parents. I need us to be good. Okay?"
"Okay. But don't you have to worry about timing or something? You make it seem like you can go back anytime and just take CEO from Jalen."
"I can."
"How?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll stop sending you plans for Del Sol Valley. We'll stay in this place till you're done. We can get a condo in the city or something later."
"I want a house in San Sequoia."
"Really?"
"Yup. A huge one. With a pink kitchen -"
Walker laughs. "Pink?"
"Yes, pink! And loud, colourful wallpaper everywhere. And my mother's landscape paintings on a wall somewhere."
"We really should have had her art in here from the beginning. My bad. What else do you want?"
"For you to be excited about the wedding with me."
"That's fair. I'm sorry. I'll be more excited about flowers and canapés."
"Sarcasm is not excitement."
"I'm just playing. I'll do better... my top priority is building a life with you, Acadia. A good, healthy one. I love you."
"I love you, too. And I'm sorry, too."
Pressure
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Later that morning
"Kades, I swear if the controller lets me burn or makes us fight again, I'm corrupting more than one lot in her save file."
Long post warning. It was a long night for them...
Nayeli Stevens made a surprise visit to the Dukes just as they were about to leave. She dropped off a gown and some jewels "that were just sitting in a vault since Walker's grandmother passed away." Her future mother-in-law's approval is important to Acadia. So although her own mother told her she looked perfect already, she agreed to change immediately.
At the venue
Now, Arnold Lund has three sons (Philip, Brian and Paul) and seven grandchildren (Jalen, Randy, Nolan, Patricia, Clifford, Walker and Rebecca). But from the time Walker was a teen, he was the favourite. Arnold made it clear that when he passes, Walker will be this family's heir. So Walker's little coup that made Jalen the CEO (the heir) did more than disappointed his grandfather. It made his uncles angry and some of his cousins eager to fight for more power.
When Walker was a teen, Nayeli divorced Philip and took her three sons with her. Arnold blocked every decent job and housing option in the city until Nayeli promised to send the boys (but he really only wanted Walker) home. Walker changed his name and promised his mother he would follow her wherever she went but she sent him back and pushed him to be the best at everything he did. She loves her three sons but she poured most of her energy into Walker and made him invaluable to his grandfather. When she mentioned that Acadia would be late, Walker knew she had interfered.
"Ma, why did you go to her house?"
"Stop whining, please. And unfold your arms. Of all the things to pick up from your father, you chose his annoying whiny mannerisms?"
"Stop telling her what to do."
"She can say no."
"Mom. Stop."
"Okay, I will."
"Thank you."
"But you can't tell me to stop telling you what to do. So there are some pictures you need to take when she comes inside."
"Fine. What pictures?"
Knowing that she had a limited number of times to meddle, Nayeli Stevens took advantage of Acadia’s cooperation to send a message to the rest of the family. She dressed Acadia in the family heirloom jewels and intended to use the photographs when Walker returns to claim what she believes is for him and not her eldest son, Jalen. He might convince her to elope so better to do this now in case I miss out on a wedding portrait... But they'll be back in head office. A woman like Acadia will catch on. She'll take care of it. And I'll be ready. I just need to convince him to change his name back to Lund. Why did he do that nonsense after the divorce?
After the second pose, Desiree Delgato, in full maid of honour mode, ran in front of the camera with her phone and said "Okay, now take one you would like." Walker happily obliged.
Right before dinner, his cousins Patricia, Nolan and Rebecca approached the couple to greet them.
Patricia, wearing white, is the first to speak. "Oh my goodness, congratulations, Walker! And Acadia, so nice to finally meet you. You look amazing!"
"Oh, thank you." Acadia blushes. Patricia's posh Windenburg accent makes everything she says sound sweet.
Rebecca, in green, tags in, "That necklace! Gorgeous! It looks a lot like Nana's, right, Nolan?"
Nolan takes a second look. "I am convinced it is the same one. The earrings as well."
Patricia nods. "It suits Acadia for now though, doesn't it? But we should go shopping together, girlie. Get you more of the things that suit your regular style."
The rest of the night was... something. There were awkward speeches by people who barely knew the couple and a rant from Arnold Lund about how disappointing it is when the people you love betray you and refuse to live up to their true potential and ruin lives by choosing the wrong people.
That's a weird thing to talk about at an engagement party... When I met you, you only complained about Walker spending time with me but I thought we fixed that and you like me. Now lives are ruined? Do you hate me again? And what the hell does that chick wearing white at my engagement party mean by my regular style?
By the time they had a moment alone on the dancefloor Acadia had a whole story in her head about Walker missing out on everything he wanted because she was not good enough. She could not even pick the right dress for this party.
"I'm sorry my mom ambushed you at your parent's house, Kades. I told her not to do it again."
"It's okay. It felt like I had a fairy godmother for one night."
"You don't need one. Everything in your closet now is perfect for you. I made sure of it."
She avoided eye contact. "Mmhmm." Was your version of perfect for me always so limited?
"Are you okay?" Walker could feel the tension in Acadia’s body.
"Yeah. I love this necklace, it's just really heavy."
"I know it is. We're almost done here. And then you'll never have to wear it again."
But I want to wear it again, Walker. You get me Cartier earrings, bespoke engagement rings and Birkins but stop at heirloom necklaces?
"So, Kades. Did you look at the plans the builders emailed? If you say yes, I'll buy that lot behind us tomorrow and we'll bulldoze it before we leave this weekend."
"Umm, yeah. I looked at it a bit but I'm not so sure I liked it."
"Fine. What do you want to change?"
"I don't know, babes. I just didn't like it."
"But you know why you want lilac napkins over lavender ones for the reception?"
"Walker..."
"Sorry. Sorry, Kades... I'll get some more options. How's work going?"
"Good. Oh, by the way, your mom sent me some beautiful venues in San Myshuno! I'm excited to go see them with you this weekend."
"Okay."
"I don't get how we grew up in the same city but you guys know all these places that I didn't even know existed. It's like a whole different world! It's exciting."
"Yeah, the controller universe is weird like that. Look, Kades, your parents are paying for it and you don't talk to your mom about anything."
"Because she would just support whatever I want... Is it a problem that I talk to your mom?"
"No. But Jalen's wedding was - Look, if you want a big wedding, I will go along with it. But it doesn't have to be in San Myshuno. You and my mom do not have to plan it. Let's just hire someone to do everything."
"Did your mom say something?"
"What? No!"
"Am I choosing the wrong things? -"
"No."
"- I'm choosing the wrong things..." She mumbles, "It's like you and my house all over again."
Acadia, Walker, Desiree and Jesse (and the controller) wanted a quiet New Year's Eve.
Walker and Jesse relaxed in Oasis Springs with Earl Jones who stayed over at Jesse's place for a gaming competition. They drank whiskey and played simbles while Earl vented about married life.
"I was in the middle of an online competition and that's when she just wanted to talk, talk, talk. All these things that I didn't even know she was mad about, man. The Lily Joy I remember from high school was always so happy and chill."
Walker laughs. "Yeah. But see meh and come live wit meh -"
Jesse finishes the sentence "- is two different ting."
Earl furrowed his brow. "Desiree isn't here to translate when you two switch on me..."
"Everything changes when you start living together. It's normal," Walker clarifies.
Earl pouts. "We should have lived together before we got married like you guys."
"That's not what we're saying. Acadia and I fight once in a while. And once she has that wife title, who knows how she'll change."
"Do you think Desiree will change, Jesse?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I know I'll change though. I didn't ask her to marry me for us to be the same."
----
Sahanna booked a private dress fitting for Acadia's three wedding dresses in Windenburg. Yes, three... Nayeli Stevens was originally invited but Walker uninvited his mom from all dress fittings after the engagement party. Acadia, from now on, the only sims that should be telling you what to wear are your own family and me - when you let me.
Sahanna was very pleased with her future son-in-law and started spending even more simoleons on the wedding. "Oh, yes, that's perfect, Acadia! Aren't you happy I suggested a separate dress for dancing? This is more practical, right ladies?"
Since moving in and going back to work, Whitney has been relying on her mother-in-law and enjoying their close relationship. Clayton loves being with his grandparents instead of only his parents all day (especially his Grandpa TanTan). And he hated daycare for the short time they tried it. Tre also has enough time to get out of the city and work on his fishing collection and he will be going back to Selvadorada soon for a jungle adventure. Whitney is relieved to see her sister-in-law, Acadia, back to the relaxed version of herself that Walker brought out. She knows how insecure Acadia can be in a relationship and she's grateful that she found someone who will not let her lose herself. "It is more practical, moms. But you like gloves, Kady, let's see it with a pair. Excuse me, miss? Can we get the matching gloves for my beautiful sister-in-law, please? Moms, I'll buy the gloves."
Desiree is always ready to be a bit petty when it comes to parties and she complained over and over to Sahanna about the engagement party. Walker without facial hair and his earring? Those stiff portraits? And Acadia looked fantastic but she could not breathe in that dress! And the music and the food sucked. How could Walker’s mom be from the islands and allow such terrible food! "Yes, Aunty! Good call. Now, she doesn't have to worry about that weird stretch in the fabric on longer dresses when they're dancing properly. You better let me pick your DJ, Acadia! Because if I fall asleep at your reception like I did at your engagement party, you will never hear the end of it."
And you already is a star but unless you're flawless
Then ya dynasty ain't complete without a chief like me 🎶
Sahanna Duke once described her daughter as someone who "tends to hang on to criticism and spiral." But now that bulldozer Walker has rubbed off on her, her 'spiraling' looks a bit different... She does not want to quit or jump to the next thing that is guaranteed to give her an award. She wants to fight to win like he does. Arnold and petty Patricia gave her a challenge. So, it's not enough to just marry Walker now and stay in Del Sol Valley. No, that's not winning. Her future husband will be the first level 10 Business Tycoon in his lineage and no one will dare touch his legacy. "I'll show you his true potential and my 'regular style.'"
Engagement party that made her mad
Convo about spiraling
